This article is about how to fix laminate flooring gaps. There are certain situations in which either due to poor installation or changes in temperature and humidity, the laminate planks move from their position or change their volume, creating joint gaps. Beside the unattractive appearance, the gaps between the laminate boards might damage in time the floor and lead to delamination or chipping. Therefore, we recommend you to follow our guidelines as to prepare the floor surface thoroughly and to lay the laminate flooring in a professional manner. Generally speaking, there are several factors which might create the laminate flooring gaps, so we recommend you to pay attention to our article, as to prevent a poor installation.
It is essential to acclimatise the laminate boards before installing them. This is one of the main causes of gaps between the laminate planks. Therefore, we recommend you to deposit the laminate packs in the room, for at least 48 hours before starting the installation process. There are many diy-ers which are eager to install the laminate flooring and neglect the preparation steps, and ending up with gaps in the flooring.
The sub-floor must be perfectly level. The laminate flooring manufacturers require a level surface, otherwise they cannot guarantee a proper laminate flooring. Therefore, we recommend you to use a 4′ spirit level, as to check the surface and pour auto-leveling screed if necessary. In addition, use a large scraper to remove the bumps and other residues on the floor. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
RELATED PROJECTS:
Materials
- Laminate Flooring Installation Kit
- Basic Pull Bar
- Pull Bar
- Tapping Block
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses
- Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Tips
- Make sure you don’t apply to much force
Related
- Episode 1: Preparing the Surface
- Episode 2: Installing the underlay
- Episode 3: Installing laminate flooring
- Episode 4: Installing the baseboard
- Episode 5: Fixing Laminate Flooring Gaps
- Episode 6: Fixing Laminate Flooring Scratches
- Episode 7: Replacing Laminate Flooring
How to Fix Laminate Flooring Gaps – Episode 5
If the gaps are too large or you just don’t have a proper access to the ends of the laminate flooring ends, you have two alternatives: filling he gaps with wood filler or removing the planks with issues and installing them again.
Remove the planks with problems and check if they are in a good condition. Check the boards attentively, especially the tongue and the grooves. If the planks are in a good condition, you can use them, making sure you connect them properly. On the other hand, if the planks are damaged, you should use new ones, otherwise you will face the same issues over the long run.
Useful Reading
Install uderlayment for the laminate flooring, as to protect the room against losses of heat, to improve the sub-floor irregularities and to reduce sounds transmitted to the below room. The underlayment comes either in rolls or boards of different thicknesses, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a product to satisfy your needs.
It is essential to connect the laminate boards properly, otherwise there will appear gaps between the joints. Clean the tongue and the groove of all laminate boards, making sure you remove the dust and residues. In addition, make sure you install the laminate flooring in a perfect straight line and stop if you notice the slightest misalignment, as these flaws will only amplify as you continue the project. On the other hand, do not install laminate planks that are cracked, curved or have any other damage.
If the gaps are larger than 1/10”, then you might have a problem with the air humidity. The laminate flooring boards react to air humidity and temperature, therefore you have to acclimatize them prior to the installation and maintain a constant humidity in the room. In order to fix the laminate flooring gaps, you could bond the laminate planks together, by applying glue in their grooves. Nevertheless, make sure you don’t glue the laminate boards to the sub-floor. Remember that if you follow this approach, you won’t be able to remove the laminate floor without damaging it.
How to fix laminate flooring gaps
The gaps between the laminate planks create a poor appearance and might damage the flooring, if you don’t take action quickly. Nevertheless, there are situation in which the gaps are just to large to be able to fix them without reinstalling the laminate planks.
One of the easiest solutions for this problem is to use a boot with adherent sole, and to try to hide the laminate flooring gaps by hitting several times the boards. If the gaps don’t shrink you don’t have any solution other than either filling the gaps with colored paste (with a syringe), using a pull bar or re-installing the flooring after you level the base surface.
In our case, this solution proved to be successful, as the problem was not caused by poor installation, but by a change in air humidity. As there are many situations in which we cannot control the humidity and the temperature, using a boot is an easy fix for any home owner. Make sure you follow the whole Laminate Flooring Series.
My Best tips for fixing laminate flooring gaps:
Laminate flooring gaps can be frustrating, but they’re usually fixable with a few simple techniques. Here are my best tips for fixing laminate flooring gaps:
1. Use a Floor Gap Fixer Tool: One of the easiest ways to fix gaps is with a floor gap fixer tool. This tool is a block with a sticky surface that adheres to the plank. You then gently tap the block with a rubber mallet to slide the plank back into place, closing the gap. Make sure to tap in the direction of the gap and avoid hitting too hard, which could damage the planks.
2. Try a Pull Bar and Mallet: If you don’t have a gap fixer tool, a pull bar and rubber mallet can work just as well. Place the pull bar against the edge of the plank with the gap, and tap the bar with the mallet to close the gap. The pull bar lets you apply force without damaging the edges of the plank.
3. Inspect for Underlying Issues: Gaps can sometimes indicate an underlying issue, like an uneven subfloor or moisture problems. Before fixing the gaps, check that the flooring is properly installed and the subfloor is level. Also, ensure there’s no water damage causing the planks to shrink or warp.
4. Use Glue for Permanent Fixes: For persistent gaps that keep reopening, apply a small amount of wood glue to the edges of the gap before closing it. Be sure to wipe away excess glue with a damp cloth. This can help hold the planks together and prevent the gap from reappearing.
5. Check the Expansion Gaps: Make sure the laminate has proper expansion gaps (typically 1/4 inch) around the perimeter of the room. If the planks are tight against the wall, it could prevent the floor from expanding, causing gaps in other areas. If you notice this, you might need to remove the trim and cut back the flooring slightly to create a proper expansion gap.
6. Address Seasonal Changes: Laminate flooring can expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. If the gaps are seasonal, using a humidifier in winter or dehumidifier in summer can help regulate the moisture levels in the room and minimize gaps.
7. Avoid Fixing Floating Floors with Nails or Screws: If your laminate is a floating floor (not glued down), don’t try to fix gaps by nailing or screwing the planks down. This can cause damage and prevent the floor from expanding and contracting properly.
8. Fill Small Gaps with Wood Putty: If the gaps are minor and don’t affect the overall floor stability, you can fill them with color-matching wood putty. This is a cosmetic fix, but it can improve the appearance if the gap is too small to close with tools.
Thank you for reading our article on how to fix laminate flooring gaps and we recommend you to check out the rest of our articles. Don’t forget to share our projects with others by using the social media widgets, if you have found them useful and to help us keep adding free projects.
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4 comments
What colored paste did you use or reccomend? We have same color floor as in picture.
I didn’t use any paste. I managed to close the gaps using the technique shown in the article.
Had a 800 SQ ft floor installed. Numerous boards end to end are separating. Floor was completely flat!
Mohawk uniclip laminate,. Separated planks all appear to follow the T-moulding transition,IE; marble to wood. No channel bar was used! Instead, T-moulding was glued, and on both sides of the underside. It appears there was no expansion gap! Will this create the problem?
Rod
You should read the installation instructions labeled on the laminate packages. I personally leave expansion gaps and i don’t glue the planks down. Have they used underlayment?